PFC Chapter 88 60 The Youngest Daughter of a Farming Family (21)
Chapter 88 60 The Youngest Daughter of a Farming Family (21)
Xia Mingwei turned around. "What is it? Is there something else, Second Sister-in-law?"
Liu Xue'er touched a stray hair on her forehead and said to Xia Mingwei, "Little sister, you're joking! Second sister-in-law just wanted to ask who our parents will live with in their old age!"
Upon hearing Liu Xue'er's words, the others, who had been immersed in joy, turned their eager gazes towards her. They stared intently at Xia's mother, seemingly awaiting her answer.
Xia Mingwei almost laughed in anger at these words. It seemed these people truly had no bottom line; she had underestimated their shamelessness. They'd already received such a large sum of money, and they were still eyeing her parents' retirement savings!
She subtly nudged Xia's mother's arm with her elbow, giving her a signal.
Xia's mother then spoke up, "I've thought about the issue of taking care of you in your old age! Whoever treats your father, we'll take care of him! If no one does, we'll live with Weiwei! But one thing will remain unchanged: we'll send your father to the hospital for treatment!"
Upon hearing Xia's mother's words, the previously eager gazes of the group immediately turned cold. They knew in their hearts that Xia's father's injuries were severe, and hospital treatment would certainly be expensive. Afterwards, he would need proper care and nutrition, which would be another significant expense. If they were to take care of Xia's parents in their old age, not only would they lose a worker, but they might even have to pay out of their own pockets. Only a fool would do such a thing!
Xia Mingwei said with a slightly mocking smile, "Eldest brother, second brother, which of you will take care of Father and Mother in their old age?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Aiguo and Xia Aimin both understood each other and remained silent. After all, whoever spoke up now would have to take over the mess of their father's treatment. Remaining silent was the best choice.
"If only we could get Xia's mother to give up on Xia's father's treatment, and then choose one of the brothers to take turns caring for him in his old age, and split the money equally, wouldn't that be wonderful!"
Xia Aiguo thought this way, but his brother Xia Aimin had already put it into practice.
"Mother, you saw it too! Father's illness is not a minor one at all!"
Hearing him say that, Xia's mother asked in return, "So what do you mean?"
“Mother, I think since Father’s condition is already so serious, maybe we should stop treatment! Otherwise, we’ll end up spending money only to lose him!” Xia Aimin carefully chose her words, trying to make her heart seem less corrupt.
But he didn't expect that from the moment he opened his mouth, Xia's mother probably already knew what he wanted to say. The reason she didn't interrupt him was to see just how far he could go. But Xia Aimin's actions ultimately made her give up on him.
"You won't treat your father, and then you'll live with him and be his caregiver in his old age?" Xia's mother said this with deep sarcasm in her eyes.
"Mother, I never expected you to be so perceptive!" Xia Aimin said, touching her head.
"Then who will I take care of in my old age?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Aimin thought there was hope and quickly said, "Mother, my elder brother and I can take turns caring for you in your old age! Your share of the money can be split equally between my elder brother and me!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Aiguo chimed in, "Second brother is right, Mother, just give us the money! Don't worry, from now on, the two of us brothers will take turns caring for you in your old age!"
Xia Aimin was even more afraid that the duck he had just gotten his hands on would soon fly away, so he hurriedly went to his mother and demanded the family division fee.
After this ordeal, Xia's mother finally saw through her two sons completely.
Thinking of her husband's uncertain fate outside, and seeing the cheerful crowd inside, Xia's mother could no longer contain her anger. She slapped Xia Aimin hard across the face.
Xia Aimin covered his face, looking utterly incredulous. Everyone except Xia Mingwei was stunned by what they were witnessing.
Xia's mother glanced at everyone and finally said, "Give up on that idea. I won't let any of you take care of me in my old age! Even if I'm really old and have no food to eat and have to go out begging, I'll remember to avoid your house!"
After saying this, Xia's mother pulled Xia Mingwei out the door. Not far away, they saw Xia's father being watched over by the others.
The two immediately ran over. Xia Mingwei saw that her mother was so nervous that she couldn't speak, so she could only stand outside and support her.
Xia Mingwei said to the uncles who were helping around her, "Uncles, could you please take my father to the hospital?"
The others nodded in agreement. After all, neighbors help each other out. Mr. Xia had helped them quite a bit before, and they remembered those kindnesses. Now that Mr. Xia's family was in trouble and needed their help, they naturally wouldn't refuse.
With the help of these people, it didn't take long to get Xia's father to the hospital.
After examining Xia's father's foot, the doctor secretly called Xia's mother aside and said to her, "The injury is quite serious; we recommend immediate surgery!"
Looking at her father's pained face, Xia Mingwei said to the doctor, "Please arrange this surgery for us, doctor!"
"The surgery will cost about fifty yuan. Go and raise the money quickly!"
Hearing this, Xia's mother felt both joy and worry. She was happy that her husband's injury could still be treated! But she was worried because if the surgery was performed, they would truly have very little money left!
For once, Xia's mother hesitated for a moment before finally making up her mind to have her husband undergo the surgery. After all, money can be earned back, but a person is truly gone forever! Once she had made up her mind, Xia's mother took Xia Mingwei to pay the fees.
Perhaps Xia's father had guessed something, for he held Xia's mother's hand tightly and asked, "Honey, what happened earlier? Why did you stay inside for so long?"
Upon hearing this, Xia's mother recalled what had just happened, and her mood instantly soured again.
She forced a smile at Xia's father and said, "Old man, don't overthink it! Just stay here and recover from your injuries!"
Looking at Xia's mother's face, Xia's father became even more certain of his guess. Lying on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, he said in a hoarse voice, "Honey, is it because the children don't want to be treated? I think, maybe we should just give up! This treatment will probably cost a lot of money. Maybe we should listen to the children and go home, and stop treatment!"
Did Xia's father not know the extent of his injuries? No, it was precisely because he knew that he said those words to Xia's mother.
He feared that if he couldn't be cured and passed away, Xia's mother would have a hard time making a living under the care of her two sons. The two had long supported each other through thick and thin, and considered each other an indispensable part of their lives.
Hearing Xia's father say this now, Xia's mother felt even worse.